Night at the Museum or a Day at the Theatre
I love the movies.
When I was asked at the last minute to volunteer for an event, I welcomed the opportunity. My life is pretty hectic right now, but the thought of helping out when my calendar cleared this past Saturday morning was something I looked forward to.
Lexington Richland School District #5 had a celebration for over 600 students and families that participated in a truancy mediation grant program. The students there had done a great job being at school this year. They were invited to see a movie at the Columbiana Grande theatre and have lunch cooked by the Community Roundtable of Irmo, Dutch Fork and Chapin Executive Director – Mark Boone.
Volunteers from District staff, high school students and families – as well as the Columbia Mediation Center – pitched in to help. There was even a boot camp leader who shared his impressive grill.
Other than that, the graciousness of the Columbiana Grande Theatre Management made the event. They opened THREE theatres for the showing of “Night at the Museum†and they were pretty much full by the time everyone had popcorn/drinks and were seated.
One of the things I learned that morning was how to serve near 600 people popcorn and drinks in an hour’s time. I was amazed at how the theatre crew, along with our support and help, packed popcorn boxes and served up that many drinks in such a short time to so many excited children and their families.
After the movie, Mark and the outdoors crew were ready to serve up freshly cooked hotdogs and hamburgers with all the trimmings. By the time the day was over, specially designed t-shirts for the celebration were shared with all ticket holders as proud parents looked on.
Yes, it’s taking a few hours to celebrate accomplishments of our children that makes the time worthwhile…its volunteers and the kindnesses of community members that make it happen.
My wish for you today is that you carve out some time to serve others through organizations like the Community Roundtable and the Columbiana Mediation Center and that you support those businesses that show kindnesses like the Columbiana Grande Theatre. Volunteering will help keep you grounded in an otherwise crazy world.
~ Joellen